Sutta Meditation Series

By Sutta Meditation SeriesReligion & Spirituality Buddhism

Sutta Meditation Series episodes

August 27, 2021THE STORY OF PATACARA THERI (Arising & Passing Away) - Dhammapada Verses 113, 288-289
Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
In today's session, we look at Dhammapada Verses 113, 288-289 and the STORY OF PATACARA THERI, who suffered a great tragedy and through meeting the Buddha, was able to come out of the sorrow, grief and despair and realise stream entry, then after ordaining and practising as a bhikkhuni, she realised final liberation.
She was declared by the Buddha as the foremost nun disciple in memorizing the monastic discipline (vinayadharānaṁ) i.e. an expert in the Vinaya – Pañcamavagga (AN 1.238). She is certainly one of our role models on the Noble Eightfold Path.
What's very interesting is the teaching the Buddha specifically gave to her, which was to contemplate the arising and passing away of the five aggregates. This coincides with our recent study of the Samādhi-bhāvanā Sutta (SN 22.5).
The Buddha's words:
“Yo ca vassasataṁ jīve,
apassaṁ udayabbayaṁ;
Ekāhaṁ jīvitaṁ seyyo,
passato udayabbayaṁ.”
“Better than living one hundred years
without seeing arising and dissipation,
is living one day,
seeing arising and dissipation.” – (Dhp 113)
Other suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this talk:
– Paṭācārātherīgāthā (Thig 5.1)

– Candātherīgāthā (This 5.12)

– Pañcasatamattātherīgāthā (Thig 6.1)

– Uttarātherīgāthā

– Pañcamavagga (AN 1.238)

– Paṭācārātheriapadāna (Thi Ap 20)
To read the full chapter (Sahassa Vagga) of the Dhammapada - https://suttacentral.net/dhp90-99/en/feldmeierOR the full chapter (Magga Vagga) of the Dhammapada - https://suttacentral.net/dhp273-289/en/feldmeier
The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLWx1jZwkAU AND on Spotify as a video podcast
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
25 min
August 26, 2021Develop the sutta meditations that work best for you...
Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
A gentle reminder about the importance of attending to the sutta meditations and reaching the higher concentrations or mental absorptions frequently.
Also to really focus the practice on the sutta meditation(s) that resonate with you or work best for you. The ones that we can reach right concentration with, and be able to sustain that concentration.
When we develop frequent ease around accessing right concentration we continuously overcome the hindrances, lift our minds above sense pleasures, encourage a brighter mind, train ourselves with right view and lean towards Nibbana.
Some of the suttas mentioned in this short segment:
— Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8)

— Vatthūpama Sutta (MN 7)

— Sīlavanta Sutta (SN 22.122)

— Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta (SN 56.11)

— Samādhi-bhāvanā Sutta (SN 22.5)

— Pesakaradhita Vatthu (Dhammapada Verse 174)
There is a Guided Meditation already published for the short form meditation for the Sīlavanta Sutta (SN 22.122) mentioned in this segment, titled "IS IT WORTH TAKING AS ME AND MINE?" (episode 115) - https://bit.ly/3kjkpzi
Wishing everyone strength, conviction and wisdom on the Noble Eightfold Path.
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
17 min
August 25, 2021UNDERSTANDING IMPERMANENCE THROUGH ARISING & PASSING AWAY OF THE FIVE AGGREGATES - Dhamma Q&A
Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
A question received following the Nikini Poya Dhamma Session on the Arising and Passing Away of the Five Aggregates subject to clinging in the Samādhi-bhāvanā Sutta (SN 22.5):
“Should we understand impermanence (anicca) through the contemplation of arising and passing away of the five aggregates? Are there any such instructions from the Buddha that confirm this?”
Some of the suttas that are directly or indirectly referred to:
— Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta (SN 56.11)

— Pheṇapiṇḍūpama Sutta (SN 22.95)

— Aniccasaññā Sutta (SN 22.102)

— Samādhibhāvanā Sutta (SN 22.5)
Bohoma pin to the person that asked this question.
A VIDEO of this DHAMMA Q&A with presentation slides has been published to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5RHweXJNBk
A VIDEO of this NIKINI POYA FULL DHAMMA SESSION on the Arising & Passing Away of the Five Aggregates with presentation slides has been published to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll5lUpUo6QM
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai.
14 min
August 24, 2021THE STORY OF SAKKA'S QUESTIONS TO THE BUDDHA - Dhammapada Verse 354
Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
In today's session, we look at Dhammapada Verse 354 and the STORY OF SAKKA'S QUESTIONS TO THE BUDDHA. The devas of the Tavatimsa realm had questions that they had difficulty coming to the correct answers, so they went with Sakka, King of the Devas to see the Buddha in order to resolve these questions.
This story is a strong reminder that we must lean towards the Noble Dhamma, as it is the best of gifts, tastes and delights. And Sakka reminds us that sharing the merit when Dhamma is offered (or for any good deed) is welcome and much needed for all sentient beings.
The Buddha's words:
“Sabbadānaṁ dhammadānaṁ jināti,
Sabbarasaṁ dhammaraso jināti;
Sabbaratiṁ dhammarati jināti,
Taṇhakkhayo sabbadukkhaṁ jināti.”
“The gift of Dhamma excels all gifts.
The taste of Dhamma excels all tastes.
The delight of Dhamma excels all delights.
The destruction of craving conquers all suffering”
Other suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this talk:
– Brāhmaṇadhammayāga Sutta (Iti 100)

– Dhammānudhammapaṭipanna Sutta (Iti 113)

– Dhammassavana Sutta (AN 5.202)

– Paṭiccasamuppāda Sutta (SN 12.1)

– Samādhibhāvanā Sutta (SN 22.5)

– Loka Sutta (Ud 3.10)

– Bālapaṇḍita Sutta (SN 12.19)
To read the full chapter (Taṇhā Vagga) of the Dhammapada - https://suttacentral.net/dhp334-359/en/sujato
The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3lmhzorOp0 AND on Spotify as a video podcast
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
26 min
August 22, 2021ABANDONING CRAVING THROUGH KNOWING THE ARISING & PASSING AWAY OF THE FIVE AGGREGATES (FULL DHAMMA SESSION, Poya)
Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
This is the FULL DHAMMA SESSION conducted on NIKINI POYA (22 August 2021) via zoom on "THE ARISING AND PASSING AWAY OF THE FIVE AGGREGATES", focusing on the Buddha's instructions in the SAMĀDHI BHĀVANĀ SUTTA (SN 22.5). This is essentially about the NOBLE TRUTH OF THE ORIGIN OF SUFFERING (Tanha or Craving)
This session follows on from the Esala poya session and our deep-dive into the Noble Truth of Suffering (dukkha). It is very important to understand the First Noble Truth correctly, in order to then see, with the wisdom faculty, the arising and passing away of the five aggregates.
In this Dhamma session we:
— go over a quick recap of the last poya session

— investigate the statement "you can't fix dukkha with craving"

— introduce the Samādhi-bhāvanā Sutta

— "deep dive" into the process of Arising and Passing Away (including meditation)

— go over useful tips for this meditation
Some of the suttas covered directly or indirectly in this session:
— Sakkapanha Vatthu (Dhp 354)

— Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta (SN 56.11)

— Pariññeyya Sutta (SN 56.29)

— Paṭiccasamuppāda Sutta (SN 12.1)

— Pheṇapiṇḍūpama Sutta (SN 22.95)

— Saṅgīti Sutta (DN 33)

— Āhāra Sutta (AN 12.11)

— Saṁvara Sutta (SN 35.98)

— Pamādavihārī Sutta (SN 35.97)

— Kummopama Sutta (SN 35.240)

— Samādhi-bhāvanā Sutta (AN 4.41)

— Vitthata Sutta (AN 5.14)
To read the Samādhi-bhāvanā Sutta - https://suttacentral.net/sn22.5/en/bodhi
A VIDEO of this FULL SESSION with presentation slides has been published to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll5lUpUo6QM
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
1 hr 21 min
August 19, 2021PHYSICAL NUTRIMENT & GOING THE WRONG WAY DUE TO DESIRE - Part 2 - The First Unprofitable Direction
Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
We continue with our examination of "all sentient beings are sustained by nutriment" (sabbe sattā āhāraṭṭhitikā) in the Saṅgīti Sutta (DN 33)
In this session (PART 2), we will examine the First Unprofitable Direction how we go the Wrong Way due to Desire (chandā agatigamanaṃ) when we crave the Physical Nutriment (kabaḷīkārāhāro).
What we cover in this session:
— look at how craving for the Physical Nutriment activates dependent origination
— emphasise that lust for the five cords of sensual pleasure (predominantly sensual desire) drives this process
— revisit the Buddha's simile of the son's flesh
— go line-by-line to understand the process of how we go the wrong way due to desire
— go through different examples of this process (eg. food, loved ones)
— tips for learning and developing this meditation
Most of the suttas that are directly or indirectly referred to in this session:
— Āhāra Sutta (SN 12.11)
— Paṭiccasamuppāda Sutta (SN 12.1)
— Atthirāga Sutta (SN 12.64)
— Puttamaṁsa Sutta (SN 12.63)
— Suttavebhaṅgiya (Pe 9)
— Chandappahāna Sutta (SN 22.111)
— Vipallāsa Sutta (AN 4.49)
— Upādāna Sutta (SN 45.173)
— Yoga Sutta (SN 45.172)
— Gantha Sutta (SN 45.174)
— Ānantarikasamādhiñāṇaniddesa (Ps 1.1.32)
— Ogha Sutta (SN 45.171)
— Paṭhamaagati Sutta (AN 4.17)
— Saṅgīti Sutta (DN 33)
Bohoma pin to the person that requested this talk.
A VIDEO of this segment has been published to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8qZBQDxtng AND on Spotify as a video podcast
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
46 min
August 17, 2021WHY IS SUFFERING (DUKKHA) A NOBLE TRUTH? - Dhamma Q&A
Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
A question received following the Esala Poya Dhamma Session on the Four Noble Truths:
“What is stuck in my mind from the session is the question about of ‘what makes suffering a noble truth?’ The way I’ve been taught to practice the first noble truth is more along the lines of observing moment-to-moment suffering, which is usually centered on personal suffering. And to be honest, I’ve always wondered why suffering, which we all experience day-to-day, is called a noble truth. Could you to explain this a bit more?”
The key to understanding the Noble Truth of Suffering (Dukkha) comes down to the activating the Right View. It's important to recognise through wisdom that suffering (dukkha) must be understood as a universal truth, common to all living beings, and not simply through grasping from personal experience of dukkha.
To answer the question we examine:
— the urgency of understanding the bigger predicament

— the perception of suffering in impermanence (anicce dukkhasaññā) and the perception of not me and mine in suffering (dukkhe anattasaññā);

— what happens when we take dukkha personally

— how arahants consider Noble Truth of Dukkha

— the importance of seeing Nibbana as not false or deceptive as it is not constructed, subject to change, nor deathbound

— reminding ourselves of the three kinds of dukkha arising from objects, sense contact and feelings

— taking a brief look at the doorways to Nibbana through the Four Noble Truths
To listen to the ESALA POYA FULL DHAMMA SESSION - https://tinyurl.com/24yd5drz
**This session is for anyone who sincerely wants to follow Gautama Buddha's original teaching of the Four Noble Truths**
Some of the suttas that are directly or indirectly referred to:
— Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta (SN 56.11)

— Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta (DN 22)

— Dukkha Sutta (SN 46.72)

— Anatta Sutta (SN 46.73)

— Yadanicca Sutta (SN 22.15)

— Suttavebhaṅgiya (Pe 9)

— Ādittapariyāya Sutta (SN 35.28)
Bohoma pin to the person that asked this question.
A VIDEO of this DHAMMA Q&A with presentation slides has been published to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTXNRTWPTpU
A VIDEO of this ESALA POYA FULL DHAMMA SESSION with presentation slides has been published to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riuNy43Ke2g
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai.
26 min
August 15, 2021THE FOUR NUTRIMENTS & THE FOUR WRONG WAYS - Part 1 Overview
Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
It's stated that "all sentient beings are sustained by nutriment" (sabbe sattā āhāraṭṭhitikā) in the Saṅgīti Sutta (DN 33).
We will examine what this means, why it is important to learn about the four nutriments, how we go the four wrong ways when we crave the four nutriments, and how to meditate or contemplate these insight or knowledge pathways.
As we know from the Buddha's teachings on the Four Noble Truths, craving (tanha) is the origin or arising of suffering (dukkha). When we take the four nutriments in these wrong ways this is known as the Four Unprofitable Directions. All four unprofitable directions lead us to future existence in samsara.
In this Part 1 session we:
— get an overview of the framework and process map of the Four Nutriments and how it leads to the Four Wrong Ways
— familiarise ourselves with pali terms and their meanings to make the learning process easier (e.g vipallāsa = perversion or corruption; upādāna = clinging and so on...)
— go through a simplified version of the framework to enable a "bird's eye" view of the Buddha's teaching, using a few examples.
Subsequent sessions will look at each of the Unprofitable Directions in greater detail, including how to meditate on them.
Most of the suttas that are directly or indirectly referred to in this session:
— Āhāra Sutta (SN 12.11)
— Puttamaṁsa Sutta (SN 12.63)
— Suttavebhaṅgiya (Pe 9)
— Vipallāsa Sutta (AN 4.49)
— Upādāna Sutta (SN 45.173)
— Yoga Sutta (SN 45.172)
— Gantha Sutta (SN 45.174)
— Ānantarikasamādhiñāṇaniddesa (Ps 1.1.32)
— Ogha Sutta (SN 45.171)
— Paṭhamaagati Sutta (AN 4.17)
— Saṅgīti Sutta (DN 33)
Bohoma pin to the person that requested this talk.
A VIDEO of this segment has been published to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuPRbbNtPgE AND on Spotify as a video podcast
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
43 min
August 13, 2021THE IMPORTANCE OF HEARING TRUE DHAMMA
Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
Following on from the sessions looking at "117 Why associating with good people (sappurisa) is so important on the Noble Eightfold Path" and "118 Developing the Buddha's qualities of a good person", we now examine "THE IMPORTANCE OF HEARING TRUE DHAMMA".
What is particularly important, from an ariya perspective (supramundane right view), is hearing True Dhamma and knowing the distinction between "what is false, which has a deceptive nature; and what is true which has an undeceptive nature, is Nibbāna" - Dhātuvibhaṅga Sutta (MN 140)
This talk is part of our examination of the Avijjā Sutta (AN 10.61). Instead of ignorance, we want to cultivate and develop to fulfillment True Knowledge and Liberation (vijjāvimutti).
The intention is to look at a few different parts of this insight pathway (which has all the main teachings of the Buddha to develop the Noble Eightfold Path and realise Nibbana) before pulling it all together to explain how to meditate on the full insight pathway.
In this session we:
— try to define True Dhamma (saddhamma)

— contrast True Dhamma with Wrong Dhamma (asaddhamma)

— review some suttas highlighting the Buddha's references to True Dhamma and it's significance

— remind ourselves what leads to the decline and disappearance of True Dhamma

— explore what prevents us from penetrating the truth despite listening to True Dhamma, and what we need to abandon to remove those blocks.
Most of the suttas that are directly or indirectly referred to in this session:
— Dhātuvibhaṅga Sutta (MN 140)

— Mahāvedalla Sutta (MN 43)

— Aññatarapurisa Vatthu (Dhp 60)

— Sabbhi Sutta (SN 1.31)

— Vuṭṭhi Sutta (SN 1.74)

— Sīlasampanna Sutta (Iti 104)

— Tayodhamma Sutta (AN 10.76)

— Punabbasu Sutta (SN 10.7)

— Erakapattanagaraja Vatthu (Dhp 182)

— Kimila Sutta (AN 7.59)

— Saddhammappatirūpaka Sutta (SN 16.13)

— Sammattaniyāma Suttas (AN 5.151-153)

— Āvaraṇa Sutta (AN 6.86)

— Voropita Sutta (AN 6.87)

— Sussūsati Sutta (AN 6.88)
To read the Avijjā Sutta (AN 10.61) - https://suttacentral.net/an10.61/en/bodhi
A VIDEO of this segment has been published to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDFPrYLMRec AND on Spotify as a video podcast
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
54 min
August 09, 2021THE STORY OF THE BHIKKHU FROM VAJJI COUNTRY - Dhammapada Verse 302
Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
In today's session, we look at Dhammapada Verse 302 and the STORY OF THE BHIKKHU FROM VAJJI COUNTRY. This monk had a misguided thought one evening, that his plight (i.e. feeling lonely and unhappy) was worse than anybody else. This story is very helpful as a reflection for how we might be feeling (in and out of restrictions and lockdowns) as we look out at the world, and how to straighten our thoughts and feelings.
In this saying of the Buddha, he encourages us to contemplate hardships in life for all beings i.e. Birth is dukkha in all places (jatipi dukkha):
“Duppabbajjaṁ durabhiramaṁ,
Durāvāsā gharā dukhā;
Dukkho samāna saṁvāso,
Dukkhā anupatita addhagū;
Tasmā na caddhagū siyā,
Na ca dukkha anupatito siyā.”
“It’s difficult to go forth, it’s difficult to be content.
The life of a householder is difficult and painful.
To live with those who are unequal is painful.
The traveller (in samsara) is afflicted by suffering
Therefore, do not be a traveller (in samsara),
Do not be afflicted by suffering.”
Other suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this talk:
– Pariyesanā Sutta (AN 4.255)

– Assu Sutta (SN 15.3)

– Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta (SN 56.11),

– Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta (DN 22)

– Paṭhamakoṭigāma Sutta (SN 56.21)

– Ādittapariyāya Sutta (SN 35.28)

– Suttavebhaṅgiya (Pe 9)
To read the full chapter (Pakiṇṇaka Vagga) of the Dhammapada - https://suttacentral.net/dhp290-305/en/feldmeier
The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYGFYyy_mqM AND on Spotify as a video podcast
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
47 min

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